Stability and suitability of housekeeping genes in phlebotomine sand flies.

We investigated gene expression patterns in Lutzomyia and Phlebotomus sand fly vectors of leishmaniases. Using quantitative PCR, we assessed the expression stability of potential endogenous control genes commonly used in dipterans. We analyzed Lutzomyia longipalpis and Phlebotomus papatasi samples from L3 and L4 larval stages, adult sand flies of different sexes, diets, dsRNA injection, and Leishmania infection.

Steppe lemmings and Chinese hamsters as new potential animal models for the study of the Leishmania subgenus Mundinia (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae).

Leishmania, the dixenous trypanosomatid parasites, are the causative agents of leishmaniasis currently divided into four subgenera: Leishmania, Viannia, Sauroleishmania, and the recently described Mundinia, consisting of six species distributed sporadically all over the world infecting humans and/or animals. These parasites infect various mammalian species and also cause serious human diseases, but their reservoirs are unknown. Thus, adequate laboratory models are needed to enable proper research of Mundinia parasites.

Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) derived from Leishmania and bacteria increase gene expression of antimicrobial peptides and gut surface proteins in sand flies.

The interaction between pathogens and vectors' physiology can impact parasite transmission. Studying this interaction at the molecular level can help in developing control strategies. We study leishmaniases, diseases caused by Leishmania parasites transmitted by sand fly vectors, posing a significant global public health concern.

RNAi-mediated gene silencing of defensins favors infection.

Production of different antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is one of the insect's prominent defense strategies, regulated mainly by Toll and immune deficiency (IMD) humoral pathways. Here we focused mainly on two AMPs of , vector of parasites, their association with the relish transcription factor and the effective participation on infection. We further characterized the role of previously described gut-specific defensin (PpDef1) and identified the second defensin (PpDef2) expressed in various sand fly tissues.